Still in Rwanda …

Thank you so much for all your support by reading our updates, being in touch and praying for us. Rwanda seems to be following quite a similar path to the UK in terms of easing lockdown. We are now able to travel between regions and the national parks opened last week. There are conversations around how churches can re-open, but air travel is restricted to repatriation and charter flights and land borders are still only open for cargo.

In general, Rwandans are rightly proud of the way in which their government has handled Coronavirus with a swift response and a clarity of communication not always seen elsewhere, and then a gradual easing of measures when possible coupled with increased testing. Cases remain just over 800, with 2 deaths, but there has been a recent increase along the porous border with Congo with a fear that some lockdown measures might be re-introduced. Cases in Congo are now over 6,000, although only around 700 outside the capital and only 200 in the east.

We are thankful that we now have use of a car for weekends which allows us to see more of Kigali and further afield. One of the unexpected blessings of still being in Rwanda is that last weekend we were able to go to Akagera Game Park in the east of Rwanda as some of the first visitors since March. We were rewarded with sightings of lions, hyenas, a leopard (see Silas chalking it up below), a crocodile and loads of buffalo, zebras, birds and baboons. 

Over the border ?

In preparation for Goma, Martin has supplemented his Swahili Duolingo lessons with a couple of weekly face to face lessons in a local coffee shop, which must be amusing for anyone listening. He was also asked to pre-record a French sermon for the local Goma radio station that went out this week as part of the Diocese's Sunday service and seemed to be well received. It also means that more people in the Anglican Church in Goma are aware we are on our way and are praying for our arrival.

The Anglican Diocese convened a meeting of church leaders in Goma last week to discuss the church's response to Coronavirus. Together they agreed to ask the government to re-open churches as soon as they can, in part so that church leaders can counter the misinformation, rumours, fear and denial surrounding Coronavirus. 

Although we are thankful for what God has provided for us during lockdown in Rwanda and are enjoying life in Kigali, our prayer is still that we can get to Goma soon, and it is still possible this could be in the next few weeks. We have our Kigali house if we need it until at least the end of July, and under normal circumstances we also have a new house in Goma from mid-July.

If you want more of a flavour of life in Congo in general and in Goma in particular, check out Congo in Conversation, an award-winning series of fantastic photos and videos by Congolese men and women, documenting everyday life.

How can you pray?

• For wisdom for the governments of Rwanda and Congo in easing lockdown and that this doesn't lead to a spike in cases.

• For the continued threat of locusts in East Africa. BBC video update from Kenya here.

• Giving thanks that the Ebola outbreak in Eastern Congo today was officially declared to be over.

• For Martin’s Mum, Aileen, and her cancer treatment. 

• That we would make the most of the rest of our time in Kigali, but that we will be able to get to Goma soon!

Thank you for reading and praying!

From Martin, Anthea, Silas, Zachary and Imogen